The Duplicity of Incidents: Cervical Lymphatic Malformation in two Newborns

Abstract

We report on two neonates born the same day, both with an isolated cervical lymphatic malformation. Cervical masses were detected by ultrasound late in the third trimester. Following interdisciplinary case conferences, a caesarean section in the presence of a neonatal team was the chosen delivery mode in both cases. Delivery and transition of the newborns were uneventful. The suspected diagnosis was confirmed by postnatal MRIs, which demonstrated neither associated malformations nor compression of vital structures. Therefore, an expectant approach was chosen for the newborn with the smaller lesion. The other newborn featured a sizeable lymphatic malformation, and due to consecutive head tilt, sclerotherapy was initiated in its second week of life. Our case report outlines the challenges of a rare connatal malformation. Guidelines are often missing. Individual decisions regarding delivery mode, diagnostics and therapy have to be made on an interdisciplinary basis and patients as well as parents need counseling and support over a long period. All the more significant is good, interdisciplinary collaboration between the involved disciplines.